25 posts in this topic

Us eggheads in the media, who bring with us our intellectual, businesslike and righteous sensibilities and sometimes a strong, albeit often misguided, sense of moral superiority , will latch onto the transient disciplinary malcontents within the NHL because we'll think this is the reaffirmation that validates our position and may get some traction for change. But the moment, like so many others, quickly passes and we're left with the outraged fans to merely cluck in disapproval and rationalize why we are so much saner and wiser than those who run the game.

The NHL is, at its very core, tribal and, at times, savage. While we in the media and the fans most certainly play a part in its theatre, we aren't full-fledged members of the tribe and never will be, nor do many necessarily aspire to be.

This dude's farts must smell like roses, I mean c'mon what a baby, I can't believe he still has credibility; TSN is becoming a joke with Cox who is just the biggest moron in history, Dreger, a s***-stirrer that wants to ban hitting, Duthie world class pansy that thinks he knows about hockey, Pierre perhaps has the most credibility with his views but then loses it with his off-kilter personality

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The article basically says "fans can whine as much as they want, but at the end of the day Campbell is still going to have his job and he is going to do it the way he wants to do it". It doesn't seem that ridiculous to me, and deep down inside we all know its the truth. Big deal.

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I don't think the OP got the idea of the article right at all. McKenzie (not MacKenzie) is parodying himself and the rest of the media because they always feel like they are right, or know more - but in reality, they are just like the fans - they THINK they know better than the league executives, but really they don't.

McKenzie is a great analyst, probably the most respected by league executives and players alike. Not to mention - he has a hard on for the Wings, and ALWAYS picks them to either make the finals or win the Cup. He seems like the only one on TSN to ever give the Wings their proper due, and I respect him for that, among other things.

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I don't think the OP got the idea of the article right at all. McKenzie (not MacKenzie) is parodying himself and the rest of the media because they always feel like they are right, or know more - but in reality, they are just like the fans - they THINK they know better than the league executives, but really they don't.

McKenzie is a great analyst, probably the most respected by league executives and players alike. Not to mention - he has a hard on for the Wings, and ALWAYS picks them to either make the finals or win the Cup. He seems like the only one on TSN to ever give the Wings their proper due, and I respect him for that, among other things.

I don't even care about his thoughts on the Wings. What I love about him is his hockey knowledge across not only the NHL, but NCAA, CHL and AHL, is second to none. He's not too opinionated and doesn't critique teams like an ex-pro or something, but still seems to make better predictions than most ex-pro experts.

I agree, I think the OP mighta read the article hungover or something because he's just so far off-base it's not funny.

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So what are we supposed to take from this? That the fans are way off base and Colin Cambell is in the right? Whether anything happens to Cambell or not is irrelevant, the actions and language with regard to those emails is unprofessional booools*** from someone in an executive position.

But hey, thanks for stating the obvious McKenzie cause you're a good guy.

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The article basically says "fans can whine as much as they want, but at the end of the day Campbell is still going to have his job and he is going to do it the way he wants to do it". It doesn't seem that ridiculous to me, and deep down inside we all know its the truth. Big deal.

Exactly.

Dunno what the op has against MacKenzie since he's just telling it as it is - the league runs itself with little care what we the fans want/think...It's been that way for some time, and will continue to do so.

I respect Bob. whats with all the hate? The article seemed just fine to me.

I guess some here feel they have a say in what goes on around the league...They must not like what message Bob is sending to those of us whom have read his article.

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I like Mckenzie and he makes a lot of good points, but his underlying one seems to be the exact point I was making as to why this league won't get widespread appeal because of guys like Campbell.

To me, he's basically saying "It's how these hockey guys run things, you wouldn't understand." Which puts the fans on the outside, and as I said before holds back the NHL from becoming a legit major sport.

Everyone supporting Campbell seems to make a similar point. "If you knew him, you wouldn't question his integrity." Which is basically, "you don't understand." Yes us fans are passionate, often unreasonable hotheads when it comes to the sport we love, but I'm pretty sure the other major pro sports, football, basketball, baseball, even NASCAR, don't repeatedly give off the exclusionary attitude the NHL does. Every other major sport seems to realize they need to include and address the feelings of their fan base, especially when it comes to scandals.

Whether it's Bettman telling us about how we feel about the game instead of actually listening, or Campbell's spinning wheel of justice, I'm getting tired of being told as a fan that I just don't understand.

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I like Mckenzie and he makes a lot of good points, but his underlying one seems to be the exact point I was making as to why this league won't get widespread appeal because of guys like Campbell.

To me, he's basically saying "It's how these hockey guys run things, you wouldn't understand." Which puts the fans on the outside, and as I said before holds back the NHL from becoming a legit major sport.

Everyone supporting Campbell seems to make a similar point. "If you knew him, you wouldn't question his integrity." Which is basically, "you don't understand." Yes us fans are passionate, often unreasonable hotheads when it comes to the sport we love, but I'm pretty sure the other major pro sports, football, basketball, baseball, even NASCAR, don't repeatedly give off the exclusionary attitude the NHL does. Every other major sport seems to realize they need to include and address the feelings of their fan base, especially when it comes to scandals.

Whether it's Bettman telling us about how we feel about the game instead of actually listening, or Campbell's spinning wheel of justice, I'm getting tired of being told as a fan that I just don't understand.

While I agree with your analysis of the NHL - however I doubt the other pro sport rivals are anything better.

The NFL for example appears set in canceling out next season (from what little I follow I get the impression it's the owners wanting a larger chunk of the revenue)...Talk about slaying the goose that lays golden eggs??!!

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I like Mckenzie and he makes a lot of good points, but his underlying one seems to be the exact point I was making as to why this league won't get widespread appeal because of guys like Campbell.

To me, he's basically saying "It's how these hockey guys run things, you wouldn't understand." Which puts the fans on the outside, and as I said before holds back the NHL from becoming a legit major sport.

Everyone supporting Campbell seems to make a similar point. "If you knew him, you wouldn't question his integrity." Which is basically, "you don't understand."

Except we have emails which directly call his integrity into question.

And what are Campbells credentials for doing this job? He was an average NHL defenceman, a below average coach, with an intelligence level clearly below average. And no edumacation either. We may belittle Bettman for being a lawyer, but at least he has a level of education to do his job.

Don't tell me that there aren't educated, intelligent* hockey people out there to run the game. You just might have to look outside the old boys club.

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The NFL for example appears set in canceling out next season (from what little I follow I get the impression it's the owners wanting a larger chunk of the revenue)...Talk about slaying the goose that lays golden eggs??!!

If those geese are NFL players like T.O. and Ochodouchebag, slay 'em I say.

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I think the OP mighta read the article hungover or something because he's just so far off-base it's not funny.

So resort to name-calling to punctuate your dislike of the OP's position? Yeah, that's the way to win an argument...

I used to enjoy McKenzie's articles, but in the past year he really has become a top-notch whiner. I think a lot of Wings fans grasp onto him because he is one of the few people in the media outside of Detroit that respects the team- admirable, but like the Wings doesn't give you a green card for whining (from me, anyway). Nowadays, McKenzie pulls for taking hitting out of the game and now applauds the NHL execs for being a good ol' boys club. Its a shame that the NHL execs get immunity when they should be responsible for their actions like everyone else.

TL;DR - I bet if Avery sent this email and the NHL brass caught wind of it, he'd be suspended from play for a year, or worse. Why does the NHL Executioner get a pass?

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Guest Hatethedrake!

Bob MacKenzie reminds me of a tv evangelist repeating himself over and over. I've never read such big words from Bob before. He must have had his thesaurus out for that article. I never knew he had such a man crush on Colie Campbell. Apparently so does the NHL.

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Bob MacKenzie reminds me of a tv evangelist repeating himself over and over. I've never read such big words from Bob before. He must have had his thesaurus out for that article. I never knew he had such a man crush on Colie Campbell. Apparently so does the NHL.

All of the hockey media, save Wysh, seem to have an epic man crush on Campbell. I don't get it.

What's more bizarre is that the hockey media is falling all over themselves to save a blogger's press credentials with the Isles - Chris Botta tells it like it is with that organization and is justifiably critical of them - but they vilify another blogger that dares to criticize their beloved Colin Campbell.

They're about as consistent as...well, Colin Campbell.

Hmm.

Suddenly, it all makes sense.

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This dude's farts must smell like roses, I mean c'mon what a baby, I can't believe he still has credibility; TSN is becoming a joke with Cox who is just the biggest moron in history, Dreger, a s***-stirrer that wants to ban hitting, Duthie world class pansy that thinks he knows about hockey, Pierre perhaps has the most credibility with his views but then loses it with his off-kilter personality

The TSN hockey talk drives me crazy! Actually I find most pregame, intermission/half time, and post game talk drives me crazy. I'm a snob, I don't really care to hear their opinions. Actually I wish there was an option sometimes to watch a game without the play-by-play and color guy. I'm more interested in hearing the arena/stadium P.A. Announcer and the music they play there.

If I'm waiting for a game to start and there's someone on tv over analyzing a game I start to yell, "Enough talk you moron, just start the game!!"

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